Daily Inspiration: Meet Caroline Gray

Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Gray.

Hi Caroline, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born in a relatively small town called Florence, SC. I was adopted at a young age when I moved to Massachusetts, but I could never shake my Southern roots. I have always been obsessed with country music and the storytelling aspect of it. I grew up very shy, often, or maybe most times, feeling like I never belonged. I started to write songs at 12 years old and taught myself how to play the guitar. Songwriting gave me the voice I felt I never had, and through writing, singing, and performing, I found myself and grew confident that I was ‘O.K’ being a bit of a misfit. Through songwriting and music, I found a community of musicians from fantastic countries in New England.

By 15 years old, I started performing all over New England and traveling multiple times a year to Nashville, TN, to perform, cowrite, and be completely inspired. Matt Casey in Boston opened up a new booking agency in New England. This country music agency helped artists like me reach Nashville and chase dreams through performing, songwriting, and connecting artists nationwide. His belief in me changed my life.

For the first time, I thought to myself. “I can do this; I could make this my life!”. By 16, I had opened up for Darius Rucker as a local opening act for Country 102.5 (Boston Radio Station). I am forever grateful to Boston radio for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunities they have graciously given me. The Bull 101.7 (country radio) played my song on the radio for the first time in my life as the “singled-out song of the week” in 2016, and that experience gave me the wings to fly. The day I turned 18, I got my first tattoo and made plans to move to Nashville, TN, and that is exactly what I did. However, my first time living in Nashville was short-lived, and I had to move back to Boston.

Nothing screams “wake-up call” like entering the real world halfway across the country when I could no longer afford to live there. I decided to make the most of a sad situation and apply to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where I attended in 2017. Two months or less into college, I got the news that I would be going across the country to open up for the one and only Jason Aldean. After that, I could move back to Nashville to chase my dreams. I bounced between Nashville, Boston, and Los Angeles for years until I moved to L.A. for new experiences out West. Everything was going great until the global pandemic hit. I thought the music for me would be over forever until I got a call from an old manager saying, “Kansas is still open; you have to meet this producer/manager, Dylan Cortez.” My first thought was, “You are joking, Kansas? I didn’t know there was a music scene there.” However, I am a massive believer in taking chances and jetted off to the middle of the country during one of the most turbulent times of my life. I did not become a Kansas resident until this past year, and it has been the best decision of my life! I am currently performing all across Kansas and Missouri, writing songs of all genres for local artists, and working on my first album release in years at Brudas Recording Studios, produced by Ali K-Rez. The little girl I was would be proud of who I am and where I am today.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Oh, good Lord, no. I struggled heavily with my identity growing up. Growing up, I felt like an outsider, a burden, not good enough, and scared to speak. My upbringing wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t great either. I was a total fish out of water and dealt with some pretty tough bullying as a kid. All of that helped me become an artist, though. I have gone through some pretty crazy music industry encounters as an adult, where I walked away from “the deal of a lifetime” due to my moral compass and who I am. I had to learn “if it seems too good to be true, it is” the hardest way possible. Unfortunately, there is a lot of bad to the industry, and people don’t always have your best intentions at heart, but that is more than okay because there are a lot of good, great, and amazing people there, too. It takes time to find your flock. I am still finding mine every day! I never like to detail the struggles I have known because they all come out in the music healingly. The music I am about to release is the most honest and healing project I have ever done, and I hope my music and songwriting can help other people who may relate. Life will never be easy no matter what your path is, so I always remind myself that one day, it will all make sense, and hopefully, I can laugh one day about some of the craziness I have been through.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a singer-songwriter-performer. I am proud of my relationships and the world I have created for myself and my self-made family. Nothing sets me apart from others unless you want to go head-to-head with me on a late-night Taco Bell order. That would shock the world. That receipt is as tall as me most nights after a show.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Can you share something that might surprise us?
I have often been told I have a “larger-than-life presence and personality.” And I probably do when I am “on.” But I am naturally very, very shy. After a week of shows, I always plan at least 24 hours “off” to de-stimulate from any human beings, loud noises, bright lights, etc. I am a total introvert, but I love what I do. It’s very conflicting for a gal in the business of being in public. Also, I write a song about any random person I find inspiring that I meet at my gigs or in life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://carolinegraymusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinegraymusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082128742592